What started as a digital fellowship on a religious WhatsApp group has culminated in a criminal dock after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned property developer Yusuf Ademola Oyepeju alongside his firms, Alwajeez International Nigeria Limited and AIN Homes and Property Limited.
Oyepeju faced Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on a six-count charge encompassing forgery, uttering of false documents, stealing by conversion, and obtaining money under false pretences to the tune of N13,697,900.
The genesis of the saga dates back to 2018. Oyepeju had crossed paths with his victim, Fasasi Amidu Bayonle—an Islamic cleric and Dubai-based Nigerian—on an interactive WhatsApp platform dedicated to spreading Islamic teachings, where both served as online tutors.
Seeking assistance to house his newly wedded wife, Oyepeju appealed to Bayonle. Showing compassion, Bayonle—who had already relocated to the United Arab Emirates—offered him the temporary, rent-free use of his vacant property located at No. 3, Road 7, Ikumapayi area of Olodo, Ibadan.
According to anti-graft investigators led by prosecution counsel Sanusi Galadanchi, Oyepeju leveraged his position as a supposed property developer once inside the premises. He allegedly convinced Bayonle to funnel funds toward acquiring and developing separate land parcels within the state. Between February and August 2020, Bayonle transferred N8,697,900 for the projects.
Rather than delivering the real estate investments, Oyepeju allegedly forged a “Transfer of Agreement,” illegally transferred ownership of his benefactor’s temporary shelter to his own corporate entities, and converted the proceeds to personal use.
Entering a “not guilty” plea to all charges, Oyepeju’s legal representative, B. Ajibola, moved an application for bail. Justice Adetujoye ordered the defendant remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre while adjourning the proceedings for the hearing of the bail application.
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